November/December 2014

Dear Mr. Mann— I have in my head a scheme for an attempt at preserving some of the finest bits of Nature near Boston. I want, if possible, to interest you… Charles Eliot, a young Boston landscape architect, wrote those words to Appalachian Mountain Club President George C. Mann on March 5, 1890. Eliot, AMC’s…

Editor’s note: This article, adapted from No Limits But the Sky: The Best Mountaineering Stories from Appalachia Journal (AMC Books, 2014), originally appeared in the November 1896 issue of Appalachia. The four climbers involved—author Fay, Charles S. Thompson, George Little, and the group’s leader, Philip Stanley Abbot—were attempting the first ascent of 11,230-foot Mount Lefroy in…

With new Apple watches and whiz-bang wearable devices that monitor your daily activity, you could spend hundreds on devices and programs to stay fit. Or you could just reach for your smartphone—all at once it can be your personal trainer, calorie counter, and route log, as long as you download the right apps. These five…

I got my first pair of cross-country skis in elementary school. Winters were cold and snow was deep in Berlin, N.H., just north of Mount Washington, making skiing a popular pastime. By following my aunt around on local trails, I learned the rhythmic motion of the sport and grew to love it. Proficiency came from…

If there’s one item of winter gear that merits a splurge, it’s a good sleeping bag. Few things are as luxurious—or as essential for an enjoyable cold-weather camping experience—as a cozy and warm night’s sleep. A winter sleeping bag is a significant financial investment, however, making it all the more important to find the perfect…

The New Hampshire 4,000-footers list—and other checklists of high peaks—motivate hikers to climb lesser-known mountains. But what about the many great 3,000-foot summits? Here are eight highly recommended hikes that even peakbaggers might want to seek out. Mount Coe and South Brother | Baxter State Park, Maine Though just shy of the 4,000-foot mark, Mount Coe…

Early on, staff working on the Maine Woods Initiative (MWI) recognized that to be successful, AMC’s presence would need to benefit local communities. MWI was and is a conservation and recreation effort, yes. But there’s a third leg to the project stool, and that stands for community partnerships. Now 11 years into AMC’s most ambitious…

It’s obvious to those of us who hike that open spaces, especially those along ridgelines, tend to be breezy spots. We love climbing to those inspiring heights for the solitude, the unspoiled views, and the sense of accomplishment they provide, wind or no wind. Energy developers covet many of the same places here in the…

Red foxes are probably native to the AMC region, but we can thank hunters for swelling their numbers. In the late 1700s, settlers brought red foxes from Europe to the Eastern seaboard in order to hunt them, according to the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection. The hunters found the native gray fox less interesting…

A winter hike above treeline is a trip that can be rewarding—but only if you’re prepared for the fierce conditions. A highly effective layering system is vital to keep one comfortable and safe from frostbite. Your head, neck, and face are especially vulnerable to blowing wind, ice, and sub-zero temperatures. In this video, AMC’s Equipped…